I was fortunate enough to win this copy through GoodReads First Reads giveaways.

His Destiny is the story of an American flier during WWI who is flying and fighting the Germans under the French Flag. The story centers around Jimmy Smitts, a young Wisconsin who also is an extremely adept airman.

As a character I thought Jimmy was well thought out. He was cocky, confident in his abilities and but what took him out of a one dimensional character was his overall human outlook on war. It pained him; particularly the brutality and inhumanity of trench warfare.

Flying was still in its' infancy during WWI and aerial combat even more so. Smith Bradstock provides the reader with clear, precise details to describe aerial combat. It's rather difficult to envision these fighting machines after having grown up with Jets. Their courage, grace and abilities are succinctly conveyed.

Other characters surround Jimmy in major and minor roles. The trench warfare stories with Sargent Witherspoon are also examples of the author's expertise with prose, bringing the reader to the trenches with his use of descriptive language.

Rounding out Jimmy's life were his love interest. Honestly these portions were just fillers to me and were totally unsatisfying. I did not sense Jimmy needed a 'love' in his life as his love was flying. The story of Eugene Stevenson also seemed a bit forced although it does pave the way for Jimmy's final meet with 'his destiny'. ( )